How To Support International Women's Day

Trending News: Here Are 5 Ways You Can Support International Women's Day

Long Story Short

To mark International Women’s Day, the organization invites us to #PressForProgress throughout the year.

Long Story

Today, the world celebrates the achievements of not only the women in our lives, but of women across the globe and throughout history.

International Women’s Day is also an opportunity to reflect on how we can all contribute to accelerating gender equality. While there’s been progress in the last 50 years and a strong movement against sexual harassment in the last year, there’s still a long way to go before gender parity becomes reality.

In fact, according to the World Economic Forum’s 2017 Global Gender Gap Report, the gender gap is estimated to take over 200 years to close. We’re looking at 217 years to be exact. Yes, that’s a long time from now but there are things we can do now to speed up the process.

Riding on the momentum of the #MeToo movement and #TimesUp, this year’s International Women’s Day campaign theme calls on the world to #PressForChange.

The organization proposes different ways of getting involved whether it’s in your home, your community or your workplace by focusing on a specific area. Here are some examples, as suggested on their website:

1. Maintain a gender parity mindset

question any lack of women's participation

identify alternatives that are more inclusive

nominate women for opportunities

always include and support women

think "50/50" as the goal

2. Challenge stereotypes and bias

question assumptions about women

challenge statements that limit women

always use inclusive language

work to remove barriers to women's progress

buy from retailers who position women in positive ways

3. Forge positive visibility of women

identify ways to make women more visible

extend opportunities to women first

assume women want opportunities until declined

select women as spokespeople and leaders

support visible women

4. Influence other’s beliefs/actions

supportively call-out inappropriate behaviour

campaign for equality in meaningful ways

lead by example via inclusive actions

be a role model for equality

actively contribute to changing the status quo

5. Celebrate women’s achievements

believe achievement comes in many forms

value women's individual and collective success

ensure credit is given for women's contributions

celebrate women role models and their journeys

support awards showcasing women's success

To get involved in this year’s campaign, all you have to do is visit the IWD website and click on “Press for Progress.” You will be prompted to pick one of these specific actions, which gives participants the choice of where’d they like to focus their efforts. After entering your gender, country and e-mail address, the website will provide you with resources to help you advance your mission.

Own The Conversation

Ask The Big Question

How are you going to get involved?

Drop This Fact

The amount of female leaders in the workplace has increased by an average of a little over 2 per cent across 12 industries in the past 10 years, according to World Economic Forum analysis.